01 February 2012

Bug season.

40 degrees fever and a big fat stomach bug.
Both of them.
Oh dear!

Also: I got some lab results back, and it turns out I am allergic to everything. I mean, everything.
The only things I am not allergic to are: egg whites, fish, milk, cabbage, rice. And dust mites. That's it!

Oh dear! (Though, honestly, I feel oddly empowered by the knowledge and even somewhat ecstatic.
If you have any advice on how to live without wheat, gluten, fruits, or most veggies, please share.)

R, I react to most foods (fruits/vegetables) with the "normal" symptoms: itchiness, sensitivity in the mouth, swollen lips, sensitive stomach, difficulty breathing/asthma, sore throat, dry itchy skin, etc. Some of them are more obvious than others, and it has taken me many years to become aware of them. In recent years things have gotten worse.. in addition to the symptoms above I've had more hidden symptoms like excessive tiredness and low energy levels, and some dry patches on my skin simply wouldn't go away no matter how much cortisone cream I spread on it. So I had a blood allergy test (instead of a prick test) done, a very extensive one. Turns out I'm also allergic to wheat, yeast, and mold etc, things that I had never had any recognizable reaction to! So, I recommend you get yourself tested. You might be allergic, even if you don't realize it. The blood test is very easy and fast. I hope that helped! I, for one, feel like I can start a new life now, and it feels quite nice.

Oh dear, well, better to know that and to be able to do something about it. Is gluten free stuff okay still or are you allergic to all wheat, even the 'not so common around here'- varieties? Or do you even know yet?

Kate, I'm allergic to all four proteins found in wheat (gluten, and three other ones... can't remember the names.) I'm also allergic to rye. And given that I'm allergic to rye and wheat, it's likely I'm allergic to all the other gluten-containing grains, too (I still have to test for them specifically). How annoying is that! But, I have to say that it all makes sense. I've been so unwilling to eat any food lately because it makes me feel so weak. Food is supposed to energize you, and with me, it's the other way around. I wonder why I hadn't made the allergy connection earlier.

Isa, I am so, so sorry to hear your news. I understand what you mean about knowledge being enpowering though. I was recently tested and it has been confirmed I am asthmatic - allergic to dust mites and other things too. I think I am mostly dismayed for you about the fruit and vegetables results though...

Dear, dear Isa just think how much better you will feel when you embark on a suitable diet for your needs. If you need to 'chat' feel free. I feel relieved to know (I have always known I was allergic but not asthmatic and in October I could hardly breathe :-( ) but I also feel a little sad that I have to be on daily medication until I find another solution.

You also have ALL my sympathy about the gastric bug. If there is one thing I loathe it is vomiting!!!

Suvi, oh you are so sweet! :) That's a good idea, I've been thinking that that's something I should do. Make myself a cookbook. Maybe I could do it, and then have you all over for food tasting party! ;)

Stephanie, oh you are a darling. Thanks for your sympathy, your encouraging words, and for sharing your own story. Sorry to hear about your asthma! Asthma is horrible indeed! - The fruits and veggies is what I'm most shocked by. I am one of those people who loves fruits and vegetables. I have no idea how to live healthily without them. But it'll only be temporarily, and then I can try to re-introduce some of them, and see if my body has healed.

Hey Isa, first I'm so sorry everyone has the stomach bug! Ah, we had a pretty nasty virus in our house beginning of New Year's. Was very stress-inducing. lol. Hope everyone feels better soon. Next.. you are such a cool mom! Letting your kids draw on blinds (cool!), tables (awesome!).. love it. : ) Eh, maybe not on my couch though. Third, sorry to hear about the allergies. I used to be allergic to pretty much all fruits and nuts but now, I can eat some of the things I could not a bit. Depends. Most grocery stores have a gluten-free section for pasta/breads now. A lot of natural health stores have popped up with a whole variety of gluten free products and other products. Oddly for the fruits, when they're canned.. it's easier to digest for allergy sufferers. I would only suggest that once hayfever looms up, to cut out as much of the allergy-prone foods as possible. It just builds so much histamine in you system and you're left incredibly tired and worse case of hay fever than before. Good luck!

I'm so sorry to hear about your allergies :( that can't be easy! Hopefully you will start feeling better soon with food that is good for you. What about vitamins? Are you able to eat them? I'm sure at least some will be important now that you have to leave out so many things. D-vitamin helps with energy levels and against winter depression (not saying you have one :) 30-50 micrograms a day are recommended!

Wow...that's a lot of allergies!!! I have no idea how to live with such food restrictions. My guess would be to start eliminating some of the major "culprits" and take it from there (like switch to a gluten-free diet, and eliminate some other foods you can eliminate without going crazy).

Anyway, sorry things are so crazy for you! But I agree - knowledge IS power. At least when you know what's going on you can make a plan.

Good luck! We'll keep our fingers crossed for you to figure out a good diet that works for you as we munch on our fruits and veggies.

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